Fatal fulminant hepatitis following administration of clarithromycin in a patient chronically treated with antipsycotic drugs. (February 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Maggi, Paolo; Solarino, Biagio; Cassano, Paola; Tattoli, Lucia; Leone, Armando; Maselli, Eloisa; Angarano, Gioacchino
• Is Part Of: Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology. Volume 35:Number 1(2013:Feb.)
• Page Start: 191
• Page End: 194
• Publication Date: 2013-02
• Subjects: Immunopharmacology -- Periodicals; Immunotoxicology -- Periodicals; Antibody-toxin conjugates -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; 615.37
• DOI: 10.3109/08923973.2012.705293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0892-3973

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Background:</italic> Clarithromycin is a widely used antibiotic, especially prescribed for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, The drug is generally well tolerated. It is described as a very rare cause of fulminant liver failure.</p> <p> <italic>Case presentation:</italic> Herein we report a case of fatal fulminant hepatitis in a young patient. In his past history the patient presented documented episodes of hypertransaminasemia.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions:</italic> This case confirms that clarithromycin although very rarely, can be a cause of fulminant hepatitis, especially in patients with pre-existing liver damage. Although the presumption that clarithromycin hepatotoxicity is dose related is reasonable, an immune-toxicologic hypothesis cannot be excluded.</p> </abstract>